by LJ Andrews
Nova’s eyes narrowed to a dark scowl as her mind filled with memories she knew were her own. “Kale,” she said under her breath.
“What dear?” Lurlina said sweetly, though her voice was on edge.
“Kale, Atlas, Briggs, my father…Hadwin!” Nova cried, pushing to her feet and advancing on Lurlina. “Everyone who loves me and is fighting for me. They are the reason I will not join you. My mother,” she said turning to the now empty spot. “She is why I will never join you. You may use her memory against me, but I will free her from your wicked, evil grasp!”
Lurlina’s face twisted into an ugly scowl. “You will never win this war, Nova! You cannot win this war! I have already taken too much from you. Just like your little friend, what did you call her…I forget—she was too insignificant. I banished her to the bowels of the Unknown. Who else will you sacrifice for your own selfish desires? I will have you in this temple, and you will provide the way to Launi. We are gods you foolish, foolish girl!”
“Raine!” Nova cried. “What have you done with her?”
The temple dining hall seemed to fade the angrier Nova got. Lurlina scoffed arrogantly.
“I already told you. She is lost to the Unknown. And I know exactly where to strike next. When I do, be sure and keep that young man you care so much about in close sights, my dear.”
Nova’s anger seared through her body. Every inch of her burned with fury as the room faded to nothing but a shadowy table, and Lurlina’s beautiful, yet wicked face smiled through the haze.
“No!” she cried. “You will not win!” Nova slammed her hands down where the table might have been.
In a flash of bright light, a rush of air filled her lungs and she sat straight up. Nova’s eyes were wide as she took in the strange new room. The dining hall was gone, her mother was gone, and Lurlina’s sinister eyes gone. The dark stone walls were dimly lit with three lanterns on each side and a small table topped with vials and tins of bitter herbs.
“Where…” she began, glancing over her shoulder, but a smile took over her lips, blocking off any further words.
Kale stood with her father, Briggs, Hadwin, even Atlas stood in the corner.
Without a pause, Kale wrapped his arms around her and helped her off the high bed. Varick was next, pulling her hard against his chest.
“You did it, love. You found your way back to us,” he said, kissing the side of her head.
“What happened?”
“Lurlina put you into a Djinn fever, her last attempt to overtake your power and force you to join the temple. If you would have let her in, it would have been over, Nova. She would have complete power over Launi Kingdom. How did you resist?” Hadwin said in awe.
“I think…you all had something to do with it. I don’t know…it’s a little foggy.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Kale said. “You’re here and safe. We all are.”
He pulled her against his chest, kissing her hair. Nova breathed in his scent, relishing the safety she felt in his arms, until a frightening thought flashed through her mind.
“No!” she cried, pulling back. “We aren’t all safe. We need to go into the Unknown now. Raine is there. She’s there alone!”
Chapter 13
Black Copper
Morning cascaded through the dim tunnels of the micro island. The people hadn’t rested since Nova broke through the fever; in fact. the island had grown even tenser as it was clear a journey into the Unknown was the sure way to get to the Djinn Temple.
Families prepared for a journey which would separate mothers from their children, husbands from their wives, brothers from sisters, and children from parents. The band of shadows prepared to journey to their homeland once more, and the underlying tension was clear. Some would not return. Those staying behind with the young ones and those too aged to battle held their heads high and kept their faces cheerful for the sake of those left to wonder if they might never see those they loved again.
Nova found herself pausing to marvel at the sacrifice the people of the band were willing to make to liberate those trapped in the tyranny of the temple. It pushed her to fight harder, truer, and with more purpose than she’d ever found before.
“You aren’t ready,” Maddox said, straddling her from above.
Nova rubbed the side of her face where he slammed the hilt of his sword against her jaw.
“You have a grudge against me, and you’ll never admit I’m ready to fight,” she snarled in return, shoving him off her.
Kale watched as his sparring partner had paused to tend to an old wound which had reopened. His jaw was tense but he stayed still at Nova’s request. She was going to prove herself to Maddox if it killed her, though she couldn’t pin-point why his opinion mattered so much.
“You’re foolish and not a true leader,” Maddox said sharply.
“Maddox,” Talia scolded with Atlas close behind.
“No, let him speak freely,” Nova said. “We don’t have time for this, Maddox, so if you cannot go into a war and give your life for me as I would for you, then speak your peace until you can.”
Her words seemed to strike him, but his face remained curled in frustration.
“Maddox, brother, stay calm,” Talia urged.
But Maddox seemed ready to burst at the seams. “You want to know the truth?” he seethed. “You will never be a Djinn, a powerful leader like Hadwin, because that is what a true Djinn is to us. The Djinn at the temple have warped and twisted their power to control and oppress. Hadwin and the Lost One sacrificed everything to bring us here. And now you pretend to have their same power, yet you do reckless things to protect who…your lover? It’s foolish and does not deserve my respect. You are not capable of making the choice for the greater good as long as you pretend you are just like us.”
Nova’s words froze inside her mouth. “I don’t understand your anger,” she said slowly, but with biting rage building inside as the dark power gathered. “You are angry because I do not protect you and make sacrifices like Hadwin once did, but you’re angry…because I try and protect people I love?”
“I’m angry because if something were to threaten the comrades you arrived with, you would not choose the choice for the greater good, only that choice which would save them. This is why we are rushing into the Unknown, yes? To rescue someone you care about.”
“Someone all of us care for,” Atlas shouted.
“Oh, I see,” Nova said, chuckling. “So, if I make the decisions to protect the people you think worthy, all is well. But as soon as I think for myself, with my heart, I’m a silly girl pretending to be a Djinn.”
“I had hoped you could be the one to finally bring light to Hadwin and help find the Lost Djinn. The people whisper you are strong enough to replace her power, but you are nothing like her.”
Talia gripped Maddox’s upper arm. “You go too far, brother.”
“What are you talking about? You keep saying The Lost One?”
Talia looked at Nova, her eyes full of sympathy. “It is what we call Hadwin’s sister, who created Launi since she was lost to the world and the Djinn.”
Nova clenched her teeth, her grip tightening dangerously on the long blade she’d borrowed.
“You fool,” Kale said, shaking his head. “Have you truly forgotten in your arrogance who she is to your Lost Djinn?”
For a moment Maddox opened his mouth to retaliate, but slowly his eyes widened, and his cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. “Forgive me for mentioning her to you. I had allowed myself to forget—ˮ
“What? Forget that you’re speaking of my mother!” Nova cried. She stepped closer to Maddox, so her nose touched his. Lowering her voice, she continued. “Don’t allow yourself to think for one more moment that Kamali Willock means more to you than she means to me. Never, not for another second. You have no idea what it feels like to know you are the reason your mother is trapped in the hands of the Great Djinn.”
She didn’t allow him a moment to retract anything
he said. Nova turned, gripping the cutlass she’d taken from the weapons room, and ran from the arena. She had to clear her head if she would be ready to face what was to come in the Unknown.
The wind brushed against her face, tickling it with fine grains of black sand. Thankfully, no one had followed her. She wanted to be alone; admittedly, she felt like wallowing in self-pity for a moment. But after what Maddox had said, she felt she deserved a little time to wallow.
The surrounding sky was changing, from purply gray to deep blue and ebony as the North winds brought in a new storm.
“Novi! Novi!” a small voice called across the strengthening breeze.
Turning around, she saw little Theo toddling down the coastline, his dark hair grown out to his jawline. Nova’s heart skipped on seeing his chubby outstretched arms. Since she’d woken from the trap of the fever, she hadn’t seen Jenna or Theo. Filled with a sudden rush of guilt, she tried to avoid Jenna’s sad eyes as she chased after Theo.
“Theo, come here,” Jenna called after him.
Theo disregarded his mother’s call, though he did grant her a coy smile over his shoulder to simply let her know he had heard her and was still disobeying. With his arms stretched up, he waited for Nova to scoop him up, and she quickly obliged. She clutched Theo tightly against her shoulder, breathing in his innocence and feeling for the pain his short life had witnessed even if he did not realize it to the full extent.
“Sorry, Nova, he just runs sometimes. One of those phases, I suppose,” Jenna said sadly, holding her arms out to take her son back.
“Oh, please let him stay close for a moment longer,” Nova said, smiling. Jenna’s lips pulled up slightly, as if she was trying to smile, but failed to find the energy. “Jenna, how are you. Please forgive me for not coming sooner, when I recovered I—ˮ
Jenna held up her hand. Her long hair was free down her back, and her eyes were lined with dark circles from endless sleepless nights. But her shoulders squared and she spoke with an inner strength Nova hoped she could continue to crack away until she was restored. “Kale explained what happened. I admit I don’t understand it all. I’m just pleased you’re feeling much better, Nova.”
“Thank you, but I truly want to know how you are?”
Jenna’s eyes welled and reddened, though no tears seemed to form as if she had cried herself dry. “I don’t know how to move when I wake and don’t know how to sleep when I tire,” she said. “My husband is gone, murdered before my eyes by people who knew nothing of us. They knew nothing of Albert’s service to the elderly and infirm, his goodness, his love of his son. Nothing, Nova, and they struck him down for simply trying to protect his wife and child. How am I to explain this to Theo?”
Jenna’s shoulders trembled as her heart seemed to break in two. Nova glanced at Theo, whom she had been unconsciously rocking. Between the cool air and her gentle swaying, the toddler had fallen into a peaceful sleep against her shoulder. Gently, Nova sandwiched the small boy between her and his mother as she tried to pull Jenna against her.
“I wish I could take it all back, Jenna. I cannot help but feel responsible for what happened.”
“Stop, Kale said you would do this, too. This is a battle of worlds from what I understand, Nova, and you are not to blame. It now involves the people of Launi, even if they do not know it. When the palace on Koning burned, Launi fell into a war, though they do not know their enemy. You can help bring peace to this land, Nova. This is not your fault, you are the one who can see us through.”
Nova gulped the emotion building in her throat and nodded, holding Theo tighter. “How is your father?”
Jenna seemed relieved, if only for a moment, to take her thoughts away from Albert. She sighed loudly. “He is stubborn as ever. The man insists he can maneuver just like always, though his shoulder was shredded from shrapnel and bullets. He’s insufferable. He has taken to your father, though. He finds him an impressive man of the sky and battle. I cannot believe you found your father. What a relief it must be.”
Nova nodded. “It was a surprise, to be sure. I pray for the day my family can be reunited completely.”
Loud booming sounds above them caused both women to jump. “What was that?” Nova asked out loud.
“I overheard your father telling mine the Royal Navy has waged war on the pirates. They only know a ship came and attacked the palace. King Beaumont was killed, so naturally the villains of the skies are taking the blame. It sounds like they’ve found another pirate crew to seek revenge upon.”
Nova raised her eyebrows, listening to the distant cannon fire of the ships invisible through the stormy clouds.
They were silent for several moments until Jenna cleared her throat loudly. A fire burned behind her eyes. “Tell me what is going to happen, Nova,” she said. Her words were so forceful they took Nova back.
“What do you mean?” she said, gently handing Theo back.
“I’m not a fool. I only have a few people left in my family. I want to know what is about to happen. I cannot look at my son again and tell him he has lost another loved one, including you. So, I’ll ask you again. What is going to happen?”
“We’re going to leave Launi Kingdom and cross into the Unknown. I have reason to believe Raine is trapped there. Then, we attack the Djinn temple in the Below,” she replied.
“Why do you have to be the one to do this? My brother will surely follow, as I’m sure my father will try. Why do you have to lead the charge?”
“It’s complicated to explain,” Nova said, knowing Jenna had no clue what she really was.
“Because you’re a Djinn too, aren’t you?”
Nova coughed in surprise. “How…did Kale tell you?”
Jenna shook her head. “I’ve met a few people in the tunnels while you were ill, the man named Kobb being one. He told me he was looking for your Djinn dagger. When I insisted I had no idea what he was talking about, he went on about how a Djinn never parts with their weapon. So, yes, eventually I cornered Kale and tortured him for answers.” Jenna shifted Theo to her other hip as she focused in on Nova. “I can understand how you think this is something you need to do, but I know there is a full Djinn here. Can you at least consider…for your’s and my brother’s sake letting Hadwin lead the way?”
“Jenna, it is so much more complicated than all that. I believe it has to be me who faces the Great Djinn.”
Jenna’s muscle twitched anxiously in the corner of her eye. Swallowing hard, her lips tightened but she nodded stiffly. “I see. I should be getting Theo back inside. I’m glad you’re feeling better Nova, truly.”
“Jenna, wait. Please.”
She stopped, though Jenna kept her back toward Nova as she spoke. “If you are certain this is the right path, I suggest you speak with Kobb. He seems to know how to help you with your dagger.”
“Jenna…”
“I’ll see you later. Speak to him,” Jenna called over her shoulder, her voice carrying on the wind.
Nova watched her leave, little Theo waking as his chubby hands rubbed his bright eyes. Even though she carried her shoulders high, Nova heard the tremble in Jenna’s voice. She placed her hand on her hip searching for the comfort of the dagger, but it came up empty. Nova’s stomach plummeted to her feet. In the rush since waking, she hadn’t even noticed her dagger was missing. But after speaking with Jenna, she had a clear suspect for who may have taken it.
“Mr. Kobb,” Nova said, pushing the door open.
The room was small and round. It smelled odd, like coal mixed with roses inside a swamp. Hanging from every inch of ceiling were odd, coiled wires and silver and gold cogs. Some were screwed above tall glass jars filled with boiling water. Nova watched in amazement as the steam pushed its way up the coil and ended by the cogs ticking in different directions.
Some of the contraptions pulled rope against two pulleys, bringing trays of nuts and bolts up and down like a well-oiled machine. Nova marveled at the innovative ideas, just as a wheeled cart whizzed past he
r head. The cart was coupled to a single iron bar with steam puffing from behind as the wheels pushed along carrying blocks of dark bricks the size of her index finger.
“Watch yerself, girl.” Kobb’s creaky wheels announced his entrance from the back part of his room. “Don’ wanna upset me track. Tat’ll cause all sorts of problems.”
Nova flattened her curls on the top of her head as if it would help avoid hitting the small wheeled cart above her. The box backed up after dumping the dark brick into a copper pot over a single flame, and disappeared into the back room for more cargo.
“What is that?” she asked, watching the small brick begin to melt into a beautiful blue-black color.
“That be tha black copper ye and that ol’ fool Briggs brought wit ye. An’ when I says fool, I mean it wit respect,” Kobb said.
Nova watched him, unsure if she liked the man. He just winked behind his magnified goggles, making his eyes look like a large river toad. He chuckled in a high-pitched squeak as he wheeled himself to the boiling pot, stirring the liquid occasionally. “Looks like ye brought in a good batch. Should suit jus’ fine.”
Nova craned her neck to get a better look at the copper. It had turned a bright, reddish brown, with large bubbles popping on the surface.
“Watch it,” Kobb said, pushing his wheelchair in front of her. “That touches ye, even a drip, an’ yer skin’ll bubble jus’ like the pot be doin’ now.”
“What exactly do you use the black copper for?” Nova asked.
Kobb looked over his shoulder incredulously as if she’d just asked the most ignorant question he could imagine. “Black copper be the power behind all me weapons. Without it, no one woulda made it through the Unknown.”
Nova’s brow furrowed. “Wait, you’ve been to the Unknown?” Kobb scoffed, his eyes bulging even more beneath his goggles as he carefully took the boiling pot in one hand and wheeled his chair carefully with the other. “Let me help you.”
Kobb nearly growled. “I got it, girl. I been makin’ guns with the same process long before ye walked in the door.”
